Herald & Lantern 23 November '83

News

Keresty Sentenced

From Page 1)

durtna! complex, hju> handed pink blips ta TP W employe* 1 It’s just a temporary layoff, baid a Everlon spokesman, who declined to say how long the layoff would continue or the exact number of employes out of work Senior company officials were unavailable for comment on the layoff last week but the firm reportedly has moved some of its sewing equipment to an upstate plant.

JuMt More Trash AVALON — Throwing old Christmas trees or other dead plants onto sand dunes doesn t keep them from eroding, according to Yvonne Ballinger, environmental commission chairman Andrew Bednarek. borough administrator, says the dead plants are fire hazards Ballinger asked borough council to strengthen ordinances to keep debris off the dunes and last week council took her request under consideration

Often House Tonight (XHJRT HOUSE — Judge L Anthony Gibson was expected to decide today

whether Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital acted properly when it dismissed Dr Suketu Nanavati last year. That decision has been tentatively rescheduled until Dec 5, but the hospital board of governors plans an open house at Burdette tonight where its opponents, Friends of Burdette,” plan a confrontation

Hearing Tonight CHEST HAVEN - County Municipal Utilities Authority commissioners vowed last week to continue their fight for a trash transfer station in Burleigh rather than on MU A property here. They’ll carry their battle to a 7 p m public bearing before the county freeholders today at the county Vocational-Technical School, also in the Crest Haven complex.

Swim at Your Risk COURT HOUSE - The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce will name a task force to come up with recommendations for relief from state life guard regulations for hotels and motels with swimming pools Many of the owners feel pool guards should be unnecessary after Labor Day, the same as on beaches

It's Uayne; Mo, It’s Pickles

< From Page 1 > magic, in syncopation, across the county When hispart ner left to work on a cruise ship. Wayne invested ways to entertain as In one successful effort he converted a pair of pink pajamas into a bunny costume and delivered baskets to Wildwood area children on Easter morn mg < He still plays the part - with a professionally made costume now — as he starts out at 5 30 a m Easter morning and visits 10 houses an hour, and then he goes out again around dinner time > Later, he met up with his former partner, and they started Crowd Pleasers Primarily, they were involved in mall bookings — performing or arranging performances at shopping centers Feeling a need to diver Hfy Wayne sold his part nership in the firm But it was th ough the company that Wayne landed his most steady position When Resorts Interna uonal m Atlantic City contacted Crowd Pleasers about a year and a half ago. it was searching for someone to control its new employe " - Rich the Robot Wayne auditioned and won the right to become the mind and mechanic behind Rich While operating Rich at Resorts. Wayne also has continued his won characterizations Not only does he become a seven foot coQstumed Easter Bunny each spring i with a Playbov Bunny at his side to entertain the adults). but also Santa Claus each Christmas Santa and an elf mil homes, tell bed tune stones and deliver an early present on Christmas Eve or a ■ forgotten' pre sent on Christmas day In addition. Wayne per forms as Spiderman for birthday ceiebraters who opt not to be visited by another character he uses Miss Piggy Actually, the part of Miss Piggy is played by Wayne’s finance. Kate »nom he met while working at Crowd Pleasers But perhaps the most popular character is W ayne s oldest - Pickles

the Clown Pickles is the outgrowth of Wayne's childhood training by Mr Mack and through a clown club Although Wayne started out as Chipper the Clown, he adopted the name used by his younger brother, Kevin, when they were learning magic, card tricks, ventriloquism and balloon sculpting Pickles has entertained diverse groups — from youngsters at libraries to senior citizens in tour packages During the Year of the Child, Pickles was selected to represent South Jersey. However, as popular as Pickles is, he seems to be outshone by the stars around Rich the Robot, whose picture Wayne carries in his wallet Rich, a five-foot, 210-pound, $20,000 machine seems to be a alter ego to Wayne. Rich does nothing without Wayne And Rich is quite popular with the stars who frequent Resorts Rich appeared on stage with Andy Gibb, danced with Billy Crystal and was kissed by Dolly Parton (according to Wayne, Rich nearly disappeared during the kiss). Dorn DeLuise introduced Rich to his wife and mother Tony Orlando asked Rich to co-host the upcoming Muscular Dystrophy telethone with him Liberace had an autographed picture of Rich and Wayne delivered to him in Boston — by limousine Rich also has met Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis. Tom Jones, Englebert Humperdink. Alan King. Rip Taylor and a host of other celebrities. Rich circulates freely among the stars, as well as the high rollers and other visitors < although he is not allowed to be on the casino floor as of yet) He also delivers room service to many celebrities and dances on the Boardwalk And wherever Rich is. can Wayne be far away 0 Despite all the glamour and excitement of working around celebrities. Wayne has found a new thrill Pickles has bought a home

“I’m the kind of guy who likes to grow ," said Wayne, recalling the exact time on March 9 that the house became his He decided buying the house was his best investment for the money he garnered from the sale of his parnership in Crowd Pleasers ‘it’s not only an investment, it’s my life,” added an exuberant and proud Wayne. He added that he is “attempting to put down roots” with this house, which is located in Tuckahoe. - Wayne spends all of his spare time working on the house, which has a section dating back to 1850. He wants to make the house a home. Somewhat sheepishly he admitted that it was time to think about the future and having ‘‘some little bunnies”, referring to his stints as the Easter bunny Wayne explained that Pickles is responsible for keeping him “afloat” and, therefore, is paying for all the improvements and changes he has planned for his “happy house." "I’ll always do Pickles shows,” said Wayne as he thought about his professional future. But he will not limit has horizons to performing. He said he is “not adverse” to working as a road manager, similar to the work he did when he toured North America with Norman Rockwell and Peoples’ Republic of China art collections. But Rich and Resorts have opened the most doors for Wayne Despite the pressure of being of representative of the casino and hotel, he thinks he would like to continue in that vein “What I’d like to do is become a casino host,’’ he said, describing thoughts about the future as "scary." Whatever Wayne pursues. it is safe to wager he will continue making peo^ pie of all ages laugh T enjoy making people happy,” he said. Whether it is Rich the Robot. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Spiderman or Pickles the Clown, happiness seems to come from each and all of them

COURT HOUSE - Walter O. Keresty, 28, asked Superior Court Judge James A. O’Neil for the death penalty Friday during his sentencing for the April murder of his three baby daughters at his W. Pacific Avenue home. Villas. Earlier this month, O’Neil refused Keresty’s request to retract his guilty plea and last week the judge sentenced him to a minimum of 30 years in prison.

Service Cut WOODBINE - With only eight members, two of them emergency techniJobs Lured Fish Grant (From*Page 1) the Small Cities program, said the state expects “at least one job for every $10,000...” The county application envisioned 236 new jobs over a five-year-period, 156 of them offshore, 80 onshore. It said that would amount to $6.6 million in salaries over the five years. That statistic reflected typical 1983 annual salaries in the fishing industry of $9,130, it said. SINCE OCEAN COUNTY received its grant almost a year ago, Smith indicated Ocean County’s experiences over the last 11 months might be valuable in deciding some of the Cape May County issues. So far, the Ocean County program and Cape May County proposals differ considerably. Ocean County has an 11-mlmber advisory committee that includes three bankers, representatives of business and the commercial fishing industry, and one of its five freeholders, according to Keith J. Goetting, director of economic development for that county. Cape May County envisions a fivemember group. The committee selects successful loan applicants and recommends them to the freeholders. OCEAN COUNTY SET an interest rate of one-half the prune rate or a minimum of 6 percent. Cape May County’s application used the 6 percent as its “example.” Ocean County requires payback within 10 years. Cape May County’s application said emphasis would be placed on 3-5 years, but current thinking is that 10 years might be better, Smith said. Ocean County pledged 80 percent of the jobs would go to low-and moderate-income persons. Cape May County said 100 percent. But the big difference so far, although Cape May County’s plans are still tentative is in the role of financial institutions. Ocean County expects the borrowers to have 60 to 75 percent of their capital from private sources, mostly banks, and come to the county for a second mortgage. “OUR PROGRAM is geared to be a second mortgage,” said Goetting. “We’re trying to get as much private investment into the industry and reduce the risk to the bank." Cape May County’s application noted it expects most loans funded will be to replace or update equipment on existing vessels and the vessels themselves “can be considered private leveraging.” Goetting said Ocean County “has the flexibilty to make a 100 percent loan, but we are optimally looking for a 3-1 ratio of private to public dollars. Ocean County so far has six “participating” banks which have agreed to charge a fee of one-quarter of 1 percent for servicing these accounts. Justification for that low fee, Goetting said, is that the banks “are looking to make money by making good (first mortgage) loans, not on servicing these accounts.” But with few first mortgage loans anticipated in Cape May County, officials are concerned that the banks would not want to administer the program “IT WAS ALMOST a certainty we would go with the banks,” Smith told the Economic Development Commission, “but the treasurer and county want to reexamine it. They have the in-house expertise. “The service charge would be the only benefit to the banks," Smith said, "and they’d have to pay taxes on that. They wouldn’t make much money.” "But they have a commitment to the community, too," said G. John Schreiner, vice chairman of the commission. "Banks, said Smith, “civic-minded as they may be. are still based on profit.” “I would think the banks will be brought * into it.” said Gates of Community Affairs. "How they set up the servicing is till up in the air. but it’s advisable to use banks. I

dans, the Woodbine Ambulance Corps discontinued 24-hour service last week. The squad needs 16-20 members to maintain 24-bour operations. Until that happens, Belleplain Ambulance Corps will serve as back-up protection. That squad can be reached at 861-2011 while Woodbine can be contacted at 861-2663.

Digging In SWA INTON — County Municipal Utilities Authority commissioners awarded a $4.5-million construction contract to Amselmi & DiCicco of Maplewood to transform 304 acres in Woodbine into a new county landfill by May 15.

don’t know that the county wants to follow up on individual borrowers. Somebody has to determine credit worthiness. I don’t think we would want the county to give a loan without determining that. “THEY HAVE A LOT of flexibility,” said Gates. “We’re concerned primarily that this thing is going to work. Creating permanent jobs for low-and moderateincome people is the bottom line. The key will be the selection committee.” Ocean County has set asside $49,000 for such costs as administration, legal advertising, etc., according to Goetting. Cape May County’s application budgeted $7,500 for administration — a portion of the salaries of Smith and county Planning Director Elwood Jarmer — and $2,500 for a state audit. Smith said the county also is “permitted” to spend on administration 6 percent of the 16 percent of earned interest it expects, or^4,600. “That^obably wouldn’t be enought for a bank,” he suggested. "But would the county charge anything?” he asked rhetorically. CAPE MAY COUNTY was one of 12 “winners” of grants from 34 applicants, Gates said. Funds allocated totaled $4.8 million. In judging the applications, Gates said, the county “scoredJiigh cm impact on low- and moderate-income persons, fairly well on jobs, and on recapturing of funds (the revolving loan aspect).” Its slight reference to private leveraging made no difference, Gates said, “although it could have been a deciding factor if the competition were greater.” He said the 34 applications were the smallest number since the program began two years ago. The county applied in July. Its “detailed description” stated that "the county’s most significant need is for jobs,” pointing out that it has the state’s highest rate of unemployment and six of the state’s 10 top municipalities in terms of unemployment. It said that “further analysis shows that unemployment is exceptionally severe in the southern half of the county.” EXCEPT FOR Cape May Point’s 2.5 percent unemployment rate (three of a labor force of 18), the eight other communities listed have rates of from 16.9 in West Cape May to 30.8 in North Wildwood. The county application said its Private Industry Council (PIC) will screen job applicants for eligibility. The “Documentation Section” of the application included a number of preliminary applications for funding: W. Lund’s Fisheries, Cape May, $25,000 for a mid-water squid net aboard the “Jersey Cape” and $25,000 for a squid cleaning machine which, together, would create 50 jobs. A second operation headed by Warren O. Lund, Cape Trawlers, Inc., requested $40,000 to develop midwater squid fishing with new nets. It would add 14 new employes. Capt. James F. Lummus Jr. of Cape May, $50,000 to $75,000 for a new red crab boat, which would provide for “another crew and more dock help.” He also proposed a $150,000 project for new harvesting gear that would employ two more. Sea Harvest, Inc. of Cape May for $50,000 for a mechanical offloading conveyer, freezing equipment, and brine system refrigeration, which would employ 25 additional people. Adrianna Inc. for $30,000 to $65,000 for refrigerated seawater holding which would add one job or maintain four. Capt. ChrisUan G. Madsen of North Cape May to purchase a $300,000 sea clamming vessel which would maintain two jobs and add two. Sea Products Inc. of Cape May for $100,000 worth of ship modifications including new harvest gear and a sonar net sounder, which would employ two additional persons.